Resolve to Make Your Motorcycling Dreams Come True in the New Year

Advice from the "Eat, Pray, Love" of motorcycling

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In November 2009, I left my cozy, predictable New England life and set out on the adventure of a lifetime. I pulled out of my garage, pointed my motorcycle south and headed for South America. I traveled alone for seven months through 13 countries and across two continents, hardly ever speaking English and riding roads that don’t even appear on a map.

Surveying the precipice on what’s been coined the “Bolivian Road of Death,” the North Yungas Road, a treacherous 43-mile gravel road that leads from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia.

Here’s my former version of “adventure travel” —a cruise I took in 2005.

I did my trip on a 2003 Suzuki DR650 SE dual-sport motorcycle outfitted by Twisted Throttle. The company also sponsored me. I had some mechanical issues with the motorcycle, some border issues, even an accident in Peru. But believe it or not, the hardest part of the journey was getting mentally organized. The actual traveling was easy compared to the negative self-talk and fears I had to overcome.

"Do one thing every day that scares you."

One of the mechanical issues I encountered was a broken chain in the middle of the Peruvian jungle, but there’s always a solution. I was extremely blessed by the kindness of strangers.

I’d already been at this motorcycle shop in Panama City for nine hours for what should have been a two-hour job to change my chain and sprockets. I decided to take matters into my own hands and change my tires myself.

There were several steps I took to get myself on the road to
fulfilling my dream. These concepts will work for you whether your trip is over the course of a weekend or over the course of a year. If I could overcome all my mental obstacles, organize my life and follow my dream, so can you. Here’s how.

Speak Your Goal

The first step in achieving your dream is to say it aloud. When you verbalize your goal, the abstract idea gives way to a concrete objective. “I am leaving November 1, 2009, for South America” became my mantra for the three years I was planning my trip. I am sure I annoyed everyone—certainly my friends who heard about my plans all the time, but also probably legions of strangers. I stated my intentions to everyone I met.

Speaking your goal helps you stay on course. This is the road that led me to the Inca Trail in Bolivia.

Set a Date
How many times have you thought that someday you might like to ride up the California coast? Or ride the mountain passes of Colorado? Or how about riding historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles? Your trip will forever remain a wish until you set a date. Setting a date makes you accountable. Setting a date makes your trip tangible. The more tangible and real you make your goal, the greater the likelihood of making your dream a reality.

Entering the Darien Gap area south of Panama City, Panama, on my ride to the end of the Pan-American Highway.

In the cargo hanger in Bogota, Colombia, inspecting my motorcycle after shipping it from Panama.

Be as specific as possible in your thoughts and in your
words. Which of the following sentences belongs to the woman who will make her
trip happen? “I’d like to ride my motorcycle there someday,” or “I am leaving
for an around-the-world motorcycle trip on June 11, 2016.” Be bold with your
words, even if you don’t yet feel quite so bold.

Little surprises along the way included making friends with incredible people. In Popayán, Colombia, Catalina befriended me and spent the better part of the week acting as my personal tour guide. My Spanish is limited, so it was nice to have a local guide.

Reigning over the city of Quito, Ecuador, atop the El Panecillo lookout with motorcyclist Luis Felipe, who became my personal tour guide for part of the trip.

Act in Spite of the FearDon’t feel up to it yet? Don’t worry. Fear is natural, and
even healthy. Fear keeps us from doing all sorts of stupid things in our lives. The point is to act in spite of your fear. Do you think I didn’t have some doubts crossing into Mexico with everything that’s been presented recently through the media?

Crossing the Tropic of Cancer in Mexico, an exciting moment when traveling overland heading south.

A valve stem failure could have stranded me on my way to Copper Canyon in Creel, Mexico, if I didn’t have a mini foot pump along.

If you are still reading this article, chances are that deep down there is something you want to do, some ride not yet taken. You want to believe you can do it, even while that fearful side of you tells you all sorts of reasons why it’s not a good idea.

Those fears, unfortunately, very often have loud voices. I would counteract those negative voices by posing two questions to myself: Am I the type of person who lets my fears stop me before getting started? Or am I the type of person who continues forward in spite of my fears? I always wanted the answer to be the latter, so I just kept moving forward. Eventually, I became that person that rolled forward in spite of my fear.

I had the great fortune of being invited to a Mayan New Year ceremony in Antigua, Guatemala.

How did I keep moving forward? I used several techniques as different obstacles and levels of fear surfaced. One thing I did consistently was look to inspirational people. I read books written by women who seemed to have accomplished the impossible. I looked to positive role models and read their stories over and over again.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I’ve been reminded of this quote lately, as it is great advice. Think of overcoming your fears like building a muscle—if you work at it every day, your ability to expand your boundaries also grows stronger each and every day.

Children were a fascinating part of the trip. Here I am with my friend Roberto Ascoli’s darlings and their neighbor in Tebicuary, Paraguay.

Children were most curious in Peru. This little fellow asked me for a “tip” after he stepped into my photo.

Mystical, magical Machu Picchu.

Surround Yourself with Positive People
I also created a support group for myself—friends who would encourage me no matter what. I picked friends who did not let their own fears get in the way of being supportive of me, however crazy my dream seemed to them. I made lists and researched so I would feel prepared. I used positive visualization to imagine myself leaving on my trip and coming home safely so I knew in my bones what both would feel like.

To reassure myself, I also attended a Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meeting. What better way to get excited about your trip than to meet up and talk with other travelers? I started reading ride reports and blogs from other travelers already on trips similar to mine. I stopped listening to the naysayers. I even stopped listening to the news media.

In El Boquerón National Park just outside of San Salvador, El Salvador.

Move at Your Own Pace
The final piece of advice I offer is to be gentle with yourself. I quit my corporate job as a director of operations for a computer company in 2006. It took me three years to shape my dream, to physically and emotionally prepare for it. I took many short and long-distance motorcycle trips before riding to South America.

Here I am in my corporate life days at a Chamber of Commerce event.

I took some trips alone and a few with others. I attended motorcycle rider training courses. I took a lot of baby steps, rather than big leaps, to get myself to the point where I was confident enough to make my big trip happen.

Monkeying around at the monkey sanctuary in Puyo, Ecuador. I spent the entire afternoon entertaining them for the equivalent of $2. Yes, that is monkey pee on my T-shirt.

I couldn’t resist this photo op in Medellin, Colombia—the poodle has the same hairstyle as I do!

Following my inner voice is the only thing in my life that
has made me truly happy so far. I encourage you to follow your own. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? You might just achieve your dreams.

One of the “must sees” for me on my trip, the Panama Canal.

What a way to finish the trip! I love animals, and visiting the tigers at the Lujan Zoo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the experience of a lifetime!

Top five ways my life has changed as a result of making my dream
come true

My self-esteem has improved dramatically.

I am much clearer about what is important in my life and
what is not important. (Things are no longer important; people and relationships
are most important.)

I worry less about the future and focus more on the now.

I find I am following my heart more, and I am much
happier.

I no longer wonder if something is possible.
Now I see it in my mind's eye and just go for it.

Reader Comments

Alisa,

Thank you so much for writing your amazing story. How inspiring. The links and all suggestions/recommendations are great. For all of us replying to your story and those that didn't reply but read it -- we need to hear these stories so that we can see it's possible.

I wish you all the best in your adventures! Thanks again!

Julia
Asheville , NC
Friday, January 3, 2014

What a blast! I live in Florida and want to do some long trips. Anyone want to join me? Open to suggestions for trips. Just want to get out there and see our country. I'm a 53-year -old woman. I ride a Harley Sportster 1200. Will probably go a bit bigger soon.

Cindy
Venice, FL
Thursday, December 26, 2013

Editor Response

Cindy,

The best place to reach out to other riders is on the WRN Forum, created just for this kind of thing. You can find it at this link. You can also check out our list of Women's Motorcycle Riding Clubs to see if there is one in your area.

Genevieve Schmitt

Thank you so much for your honest, insightful words! I have held the dream of a long distance ride for years and have been slowly creeping towards it. Bought a DR last year, attended Horizons this year, lots of shorter local trips. As the trip starts to become more real and pressing in my mind, my fears have multiplied.. like gremlins in water! In fact, today I have an appointment with my financial planner to talk over that aspect of the trip and was going to cancel (fear). After your supportive article, I am going to keep the appointment and keep taking 'Jen' sized steps toward my goal!

Jen C
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Editor Response

That's the way to do it, Jen! Will send prayers and good wishes your way!Genevieve Schmitt

Alisa, wow! What an awesome story and experience you had. My plan is 5 years out to ride across the country and I am reading everything about long distance traveling that I can get my hands on. One question I keep wondering about is how do you make sure there will be enough gas stations along the way so you don't run out. I have Sportster and can only ride about 120 miles per tank. Thanks.

Judy Fachko
Buffalo, NY
Sunday, February 26, 2012

Editor Response

Congratulations on your trip decision! Fuel is always a consideration, but a good one because it means we're traveling. The key is in the planning, because the gas stations get much further apart in the middle of the country. Be sure to have good, local, current maps along with you. Or if traveling with a GPS, make sure you have the most current map data uploaded so you can decipher the distances between gas stations. I believe there are gas apps available these days as well.

Personally, I've added two fuel cells (Rotopax) to my luggage set-up because I am not always such a good planner. I doubt this solution will work on your Sportster, but you could consider carrying a couple of those red MSR fuel bottles in your luggage to give you a little extra range. I carry two of these in addition to the Rotopax: one contains fresh engine oil, and the other has fuel for my camp stove or for those true fuel emergencies.

I'm not saying that you have to plan the entire trip before you leave home, but definitely take a look at your maps each morning. Asking locals helps as well. Also, don't make my East-coaster mistake of assuming that just because there is a big intersection on a map that there will actually be a town-—and services-—in that location. It's often not the case. Let me know if you need other ideas.

Have a great trip.Alisa Clickenger, WRN contributor

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